Family value pack takeaway for a hawk

[What was that?]

Coming away from Hilton Falls aftera short 13k bimble (lots of macro, some good landscapes - not a bird, but here you are http://www.flickr.com/photos/39167841@N06/4558433827/)
Didn't see much in the way of birds, certainly nothing easily photographed.

UNTIL that is we left. Just down the road we come across this happy chappy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39167841@N06/4558432491/

Originally on a telegraph wire, I watched him fly off to this sign - after attacking this bush (which he returned to for my benefit I'm sure)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39167841@N06/4559061622/

After fighting with it for a few minutes off he flew - check out his little friends hitching a ride.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39167841@N06/4559060792/

Turns out he invited them for lunch - and they were it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39167841@N06/4558429743/

Unfortunately my wife was a little upset watching all of this. She likes house finches - who were loudly crying nearby. Why couldn't they have been house sparrows instead.
Then we retired to eat chicken at Swiss Chalet - yumm.

These pics were taken within 30 feet of the action from my mobile hide (car). I've now figured out to switch off the engine, the vibration reduced the sharpness noticeably - lesson learnt.

Graham

[Niloc]

Excellent series!

[Lloyd]

Well done! Great photos and comments, too. I love nature albeit a little harsh sometimes.

[What was that?]

Thanks peeps.
Confession is that the pics work graet at this size, but I couldn't print them at anything bigger than 5x7", too much blur. (In part from me shaking in excitement - I never want to lose the wonder and amazement I feel when I see this type of thing - wow.)

Graham

[ravynne40]

Great shots Graham, and very funny re: swiss chalet and eating chicken

Irene

[Luv2Bird]

Super series ... upsetting for some of us ... but such is "nature in action" .Feel sorry for the poor Finches.  Truly amazing to witness such an event. Never would have thought that a hawk would do this.

[What was that?]

The bush was so small compared to the hawk. Bush - 4' tall, Hawk seemed massive in comparison.
In my 2 years of birding, this has to be the best sighting. And I've seen better posted on these boards, so hopefully more is to come.
Graham
childlike wonderment continues.

[egret]

Lovely shots

but it upsets me as well

poor wee birds!



Egret

[Moira]

Great series - the Red Tail pictures are excellent.